An Austenesque Chat & Ziplining Around the Web

I don't know how this happens, but it does...almost every time. My darling son comes down with a slight cold and, fortunately, rids himself of it in three days or less. Invariably, I catch it, but for me it mutates into a monster malady that lasts well over a week! Why??! What is the physiology behind that?!! If science doesn't have an answer, maybe I need to look to science fiction... It's just weird, not to mention so darned irritating!

Anyway, as you've probably guessed, I am still sniffling and coughing from a cold I managed to catch about 8 days ago, which has kept me offline more than I'd like, but at least I've had a chance to read several wonderful novels. (Ahh, there is always a silver lining somewhere, isn't there? I keep trying to tell myself that as I work my way through a half-dozen Kleenex boxes and several packages of throat lozenges. :)

However, I'm excited to be journeying through the web next week, and I wanted to let everyone know where I was going to be so you could join me, if you'd like!

First stop, Sunday, September 23rd on Austenesque Reviews, I'll be taking part in a multi-author "Sociable Sunday Chat," which is part of the 2012 Austenesque Extravaganza. It'll be a live online conversation that will begin at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central Time. Just go to the Austenesque website and click on the "Chat" link on the far-right side of the header. Anyone can ask questions, make comments and share ideas. Meredith, Jakki and Angie have done an amazing job setting up the month-long festivities -- and there will be book giveaways/prizes to look forward to that day, too!

Monday, September 24th, it's my day to talk about "Transitions" on the Girlfriends Book Club. I have A LOT to say about that, so I hope you'll stop by.

Tuesday, September 25th, I'll be blogging at Austen Authors about Matthew Macfadyen...but (surprise!) not in regards to his role as the 2005 Mr. Darcy. (Although, he does look dashing in a cravat!) I've been finding myself fascinated by a British TV show that some of you may know, "MI-5." It's been great fun watching him in it in the years just prior to his famous Austen film.

And, finally, Friday, September 28th, it's my next post on Magical Musings, and I'll be writing about books that heavily feature "Communities" -- like Robyn Carr's "Virgin River" series and Emily March's "Eternity Springs" series.

Wishing you all a fabulous week ahead and a very happy start to autumn!!

An Evening of Books and Wine

LFBS owner, Sue Boucher, and I with our glasses of Viognier!

Friday night, I had the honor of returning to the city where I used to teach elementary school -- Lake Forest, IL -- to give a talk at Lake Forest Book Store about my novels and about the writing life.

Such a fun evening and what a wonderful group of people!! Not only did we have a lively chat outdoors, but Courtyard Wines (in the building next door to the book store) generously provided red wine, white wine and tasty sandwiches for all. (I was told that the delicious white wine I tried was a "Viognier". :-)

Below are a few other snapshots from the event:

 

What did you all do over the long holiday weekend? Any good books, movies or wine (!!) you'd recommend?

 

p.s. A friend shared an unusual recipe with me for -- get this! -- "Whiskey Marshmallow and Caramel Bacon Bark." I have no idea how it'll taste, but I'm so very tempted to try to make it...